Chapter 25 Night with the Girls

Finn sat in the Rory's living room as he had countless times before, tonight felt different though. Finn was nothing if not a realist, and the reality of the situation was that the girl's life had shifted directions. He was no longer the #1 man in Rory's life. With the introduction of Tristan into Ellie's life (something Rory hadn't done with anyone else she had dated) that meant Rory was planning on things being more permanent with this man. Finn knew the days of him dropping in unannounced and just whisking them away were over. Although, happy for Rory, Finn couldn't help feeling a sense of impending loss coming. Ellie was the daughter of his heart, but she biologically wasn't his. He had always known he might one day lose her.

He had been hooked from the moment the nurse handed her to him and she stopped crying to look him in the eyes as he made her all kinds of promises in Logan's absence. It only took moments of holding the helpless child for Finn to understand what parents meant by "willing to die for a child" He knew he had never loved unselfishly before and probably never would again. Ellie had been his girl from the time that nurse handed her to him and he wasn't ready to relinquish that right just yet.

Trying to shake the depressing thoughts he looked at his watch rolling his eyes at the familiar routine, they all knew their parts. "Ladies!" he yelled up the stairs "Fashionably late is not an option tonight! Come on." His complaint died in his throat as he saw an angelic looking doll bouncing down the stairs. She looked so grown up in her black dress and kid heels. When had her hair gotten so long he thought as he smoothed an unruly curl that cascaded half way down her back. "I'm ready, mom's just…" "Agh" the groan cutting of Ellie as she giggled. "Looking for her other shoe." She said to Finn with an impish smile as she put her light jacket on.

Rory moved down the stairs at an impressive speed considering the height of her heels. She grabbed Finn's wrist looking at the time as pulled him towards the door. "And with 54 seconds to spare. I am good." She gloated locking up.

As per usual, before they made it out of the neighborhood Finn and Ellie were already deep into conversation about what Finn had missed in his absence. Rory sat and listened as they talked about the forensic program she had completed during the summer. Finn had taken the time to learn a lot of the science behind what Ellie would learn so he would be able to carry a conversation with her where she didn't spend most of it explaining what she was talking about. It really reminded Rory of how Richard had done the same with her it was all Ellie had ever known but one day she would learn just how special and unique their relationship really was.

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Rory looked around mesmerized, she had for some reason thought when he said show it would be a movie. Rory found herself surrounded by the art of a photographer who somehow made you feel as if you were looking at real life not a photograph. Rory already had one of her pieces but as she moved around the gallery she kept being pulled back to one dessert scene. Something about it reminded her of the area surrounding Camp Independence, and she wanted it. Looking for a gallery employee she was surprised to come around a corner and she Tristan with a young woman in her early twenties. Within seconds of spotting her his face breaking into a giant smile as he waved her over. "Rory, this is great. I thought I wasn't going to get a chance to introduce you two while Marc was in town." He said excited "This is Marcail Riggs the artist and Lt. Riggs little sister."

Rory couldn't believe she had missed the connection. Thrilled on both counts Rory took the offered hand gladly. "My daughter and I just love your work. I was actually trying to find someone to ask about a piece. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much I've enjoyed knowing your brother. I was glad to get an email from him and hear he's doing better in Texas." She replied thinking of the Lt's easy manner.

Marcail smile "He is thank you. Which piece were you wondering about? If you'll show me I can help you out."

Rory nodded and pointer back towards the direction she had come from "It's the desert piece around the corner. It reminds me of where the boys were stationed." Rory explained.

Marcail was shocked "Great eye! That is where that was taken. You're the only person to recognize it so far." Marcail explained loving that someone had finally placed the location. She let Rory know the list price which Rory immediately agreed to. Tristan knew Marcail had more powerful pieces" why this one?" he inquired. Rory softly kissed him being mindful of how public they were when she answered. "That's where I forgave a boy, and fell in love with the man." She said her eyes tenderly caressing the photograph.

Marcail felt she was invading a private moment so she moved to get a sold sticker for the piece. When she returned Rory and Tristan had been joined by the girl from the hospital and an absolutely stunning man. Marcail pointed out the gallery manager to Rory telling her to just find him when she was ready to pay and it will be delivered to her tomorrow. Hoping for an introduction to the man she grabbed Rory's hand pulling her closer to ask her quietly, "Who's that with your daughter? Anyone who is that nice to a kid can't be single?"

Rory laughed quietly, sometimes she forgets the way woman react to Finn. "He is single." She said moving them back to the others before grabbing Ellie and Finn's attention. "Marcail this is Finn Morgan my best friend and Ellie's godfather and this is my daughter Ellie. Guys this is the artist Marcail Riggs." Rory said taking the glass of wine Tristan offered her.

Marcail's next comment surprising her, "Ellie it's good to see you again, I was hoping I would when Tristan told me he wanted to introduce me and your mother. I wanted to tell you when Professor Sanders and I had dinner party last week she completely raved about a young girl she taught this summer I didn't think there were two Ellie's. I thought you like to know she thinks they will be seeing remarkable things from you in the future told her collogues that if your application came through for any of their sessions to ignore your age and accept you and your brilliant mind. I've never seen Sanders praise anyone like that. So how was the rest of your weekend with your grandfather?" As excited as Marcail had just made her, one look at her mother and she knew she was busted. She glanced at Tristan then remembered what he had told her "If your mother asks I won't lie to her, but I won't volunteer that you lied to your grandfather and came to meet me without getting anyone's permission."

Ellie looked sheepishly at her mother before answering Marcail honestly and in a way told her mother why Marcail knew her, "It actually was our last night in town. We were supposed to go to dinner but I was late getting back and my grandfather knew I was lying about where I was going so it kind of ruined the last night. We actually sat in the hotel and watched a One Tree Hill marathon on soap net." Ellie shrugged knew her mother would want to know everything.

Finn noticing the tension in both Ellie and Rory changed the subject by asking. "Have you ever considered selling your work to high end hotels?"

Marcail bristled at the thought of her work being considered 'cheap hotel art' her reply a clipped "No."

Finn contemplated her reaction for a minute before he grasps the perceived insult, he quickly back peddled. "Wow that came out wrong. I meant have you ever considered taking a commission for a local piece for a focal wall. Using you work to highlight local interests that would in turn have guests saying wow lets go there while were in town. Not cheap oil crap paintings. It would open up your exposure while helping local business." Finn explained his idea better.

Calming Marcail took a sip of her water. "It's an intriguing idea if it can be done right. If not it could slip into tacky very quickly. I don't do tacky."

Finn smiled a bit as he commented "I can see that. Please consider the idea of just trying one piece with complete artistic license for the complete finished wall. If you don't like it we pull it. If you might be interested we can talk more on what I had in mind and if you think if could be done." Finn finished by handing her a business card. He had rolled out that charm that was uniquely Finn and Rory knew he would get at least one wall out of her. Rory also knew Finn was trying to deflect attention off of Ellie but she could get to the bottom of that after they left.

Ellie had found what she felt was the perfect picture for Mitchum she wanted Rory to look at Tristan choosing to follow the girls. She had been right about the picture, it was decided it would be Ellie's present for Mitchum's birthday next week.

As the evening wore on Rory noticed the chemistry between Finn and the young artist. It became painfully obvious that Finn had forgotten about the girls and while Rory and Tristan found it amusing Ellie did not. She was very accustomed to having Finn's complete attention. He had always made it a point not to flirt or try to date in front of her and she had certainly never been blown off before. She knew it was childish to feel neglected and jealous but just because knew it didn't stop her from feeling it. Though Rory didn't say anything she could tell Ellie was hurt and confused.

Tristan noticing the normally happy girl quietly withdrawing he suggested the head for a late movie and the single people to their own devices. Rory readily agreed and left to let Finn know they were heading out with Tristan. Rory felt her own hurt when Finn jumped at the offer to be rid of them and simply headed back to Marcail without so much as a glance at Ellie, never seeing her shocked and heartbroken expression. In an attempt to cheer the girl Tristan suggested she pick the movie hoping it would take her mind off of Finn.